Welcome to Bimmerfest -- The #1 Online Community for BMW related information! Please enjoy the discussion forums below and share your experiences with the 200,000 current, new and past BMW owners. The forums are broken out by car model and into other special interest sections such as BMW European Delivery and a special forum to voice your questions to the many BMW dealers on the site to assist our members!

E39 (1997 - 2003) The BMW 5-Series (E39 chassis) was introduced in the United States as a 1997 model year car and lasted until the 2004 when the E60 chassis was released. The United States saw several variations including the 525i, 528i, 530i and 540i. -- View the E39 Wiki

last time a friend went to autozone and they told him to buy the code reader and return it after he was done using it. so essential you can borrow the code reader.

Pani i thought you lived gilroy?
hmm we should get some type of e39 DIY network in SJ to help each other out locally.i think i need my bushings replaced, anyone in SJ about to do tackle a similiar project?

What is the advantage of Peake readers. Is it only that they translate codes directly to BMW codes? If one buys a regular code reader, is it hard to translate to BMW codes?

What is a rough price difference between the two?

Thanks bluebee

There are a few advantages to having our products:

1. They access the BMW factory diagnostic system that monitors engine faults (those that trigger check engine/service engine soon light). The tools provide you with the identical fault codes seen at the dealer.

2. They can be used to reset oilservice/inspection reminders.

3. Unlike OBDII, the factory codes are specific to your chassis/ECU. Within our manual, you will find a specific code table that corresponds to your car.

4. No translation/guesswork necessary. Most reference tables found in repair manuals are designed to show the closest related factory code when using an OBDII tool. The definitions therein are OBDII's generic language, not the actual factory definition. This can still leave you mislead.

5. Absolutely no chance of the dreaded 'unknown code' listing that OBDII tools can show you.

As for the pricing, MSRP on our R5/FCX3 (engine code tool) is $149.99. Most retailers sell them for as low as $139.99. All tools come with a warranty from US, as well as unsurpassed customer support from our California based company (where the tools are produced, programmed, and packaged).

Clicking on my signature will show you a list of Bimmerfest supporting companies who carry the tools. Contact us or any of these businesses if you have any specific questions. You can also check out the article linked in my signature titled "Peake Tool Crash Course."

Cable for what? You have not explained what it is that you want to do and with what you plan on doing it with. More details please as to what tool(s) you have and what is it that you are trying to do with what ever tool it is that you have.

Are you reading generic OBD II codes with an inexpensive OBD II scanner/reader? Or do you have a laptop that has aftermarket software...or do you have access to BMW proprietary software?

The o2 monitors your air fuel,
This is a lot to do with knock sensor and open loop. Closed loop

__________________

Specializing In BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz ,Volkswagen, Volvo

"Burning 2nd is a lot like vitamin tonic. Overly harsh, tastes like crap, but somewhere in all that there's good intent......just have to learn to read between the lines, actually you have to squint really hard to see the good, but its there somewhere"